Both Washington and Seoul have played down the tests U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton on Tuesday went on Fox News to remind everyone that Kim has promised President Donald Trump he would NOT launch longer-range missiles - the kind that could threaten the United States.

But he also said Trump was watching the situation closely, a statement underlined by U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper after a meeting with Japan's prime minister on Wednesday (August 7).

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, MARK ESPER, SAYING "North Korea also remains a great concern, and we deeply appreciate Japan's assistance in enforcing United Nations' security council resolution." The U.S. wants North Korea to scrap its nuclear weapons program.

But negotiations are currently on hold.

North Korea's foreign ministry on Tuesday (August 6) said it would give the U.S. until the end of the year to soften its policies of sanctions and political pressure.